pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ 
1
: during
their opportunity to develop trade pending the laborious and fruitless negotiations—
Theodore Hsi-En Chen
Theodore Hsi-En Chen2
: while awaiting
pending approval
were held in custody pending trial
Synonyms
Preposition
Adjective
Examples of pending in a Sentence
Preposition
He is being held in jail pending trial.
She received a four-year sentence and is currently out on bail pending appeal.
Adjective
The results of the investigation are pending.
There are lawsuits pending against the company.
Recent Examples on the WebJo Yurcaba, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2022
Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 17 Mar. 2022
Even if the Trump team completes certain actions and publishes them in the Federal Register, the Biden team can halt implementation pending review.
—Kelsey Brugger, Science | AAAS, 10 Nov. 2020
Although a federal judge issued an injunction to keep the program alive pending higher court review, the young immigrants stand to lose their right to work, travel and attend school.
—Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2018
Rob Wile, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
The property changed to pending status on March 11, just seven months after its purchase.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024
Which brings us to the pending uncontrolled reentry.
—George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024
Many appeals were still labeled as pending and unresolved by trial in January 2024, according to court documents.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024
The timing is more pressing now on pending and potentially contentious issues, like money, since there is no contract in place for the CFP past the 2025 season.
—Stephen Hawkins, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
When reached by The Post, both Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare declined to comment due to pending litigation, but both offered condolences to Bellamy’s grieving family.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024
Candidates for loan cancellation are supposed to be placed in forbearance, but servicers accidentally sent bills to 16,000 borrowers with pending or approved applications, according to the memo.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2023
The department declined to comment due to pending litigation, including a possible appeal.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
Preposition
Judges have blocked Alabama's and Arkansas' measures from taking effect pending litigation.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2022
Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 17 Mar. 2022
Even if the Trump team completes certain actions and publishes them in the Federal Register, the Biden team can halt implementation pending review.
—Kelsey Brugger, Science | AAAS, 10 Nov. 2020
Although a federal judge issued an injunction to keep the program alive pending higher court review, the young immigrants stand to lose their right to work, travel and attend school.
—Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2018
Adjective
Due to the importance of confidentiality, the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
The property changed to pending status on March 11, just seven months after its purchase.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024
Which brings us to the pending uncontrolled reentry.
—George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024
Many appeals were still labeled as pending and unresolved by trial in January 2024, according to court documents.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024
The timing is more pressing now on pending and potentially contentious issues, like money, since there is no contract in place for the CFP past the 2025 season.
—Stephen Hawkins, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
When reached by The Post, both Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare declined to comment due to pending litigation, but both offered condolences to Bellamy’s grieving family.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024
Candidates for loan cancellation are supposed to be placed in forbearance, but servicers accidentally sent bills to 16,000 borrowers with pending or approved applications, according to the memo.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2023
The department declined to comment due to pending litigation, including a possible appeal.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pending.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pending
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pending. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pending
1 of 2 preposition
pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ
: while waiting for
held in jail pending a trial
pending
2 of 2 adjective1
: not yet decided or acted on
bills pending in Congress
2
: being about to take place
signs of a pending victory
Legal Definition
pending
1 of 2 preposition
pend·ing
ˈpen-diŋ
1
: during the time of
2
: while awaiting : in the time preceding
held in escrow pending the outcome of the suit
free pending trial
pending
2 of 2 adjective1
: not yet decided
a pending suit
2
: to occur or be realized soon
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share